The international border will reopen in November, according to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, allowing vaccinated citizens and their families to travel for the first time.
Since March 2020, just a few Australians and foreigners have visited the country due to strict immigration regulations. Unless an exemption is granted, outbound travel is likewise prohibited.
While the effort has been commended for its contribution to the eradication of Covid, it has also been criticised for causing family division.
States with immunisation rates of at least 80% will be granted enhanced travel rights.
“It is past time for Australians to reclaim their lives,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday.
While foreigners would not be able to visit immediately, the administration stated that it is working to “welcome visitors back to our beaches.”
Individuals can now only leave Australia under extraordinary circumstances, such as for urgent work or to visit a dying family member.
Citizens and those with exemptions are allowed to access; nevertheless, the number of individuals who can enter is strictly limited. As a result, tens of thousands of travellers have been stuck in different parts of the world.
Mr Morrison announced on Friday that the onerous 14-day hotel quarantine in Australia, which presently costs each visitor A$3,000 ($1,600; $2,100), will be phased out.
It will gradually be phased out in favour of a seven-day home quarantine for vaccinated travellers. Passengers who have not been inoculated must stay in quarantine for 14 days before boarding.
Flight demand is expected to be strong, and airlines have warned of probable service restart delays.
Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra have been quarantined due to viral epidemics.
This has contributed to the recent rise in immunisation rates.
New South Wales is on pace to become the first state to reach the 80 percent mark in the coming weeks.
Several governments, on the other hand, have managed to keep Covid rates at or near nil by closing their borders to affected nations.
Two of these jurisdictions, Queensland and Western Australia, have threatened to block their borders until vaccination rates hit an all-time high.
Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra have been quarantined due to viral epidemics.
This has contributed to the recent rise in immunisation rates.
New South Wales is on pace to become the first state to reach the 80 percent mark in the coming weeks.
Several governments, on the other hand, have managed to keep Covid rates at or near nil by closing their borders to affected nations.
Two of these jurisdictions, Queensland and Western Australia, have threatened to block their borders until vaccination rates hit an all-time high.
This is a highly expected announcement for thousands of Australians living in Australia and throughout the world. It is certainly an emotional time for many after nearly two years of seclusion.
The effectiveness of Australia’s rigorous border policy, particularly early in the epidemic, has been ascribed to it, but the Delta strain has changed everything.
All of this makes re-establishing international borders more difficult logistically.
Airlines have already claimed that they are unprepared for the service increase that would be required as a result of the reopening. And, with so many details about limitations and evidence of vaccination still unknown, border officials may be in for a headache.
While New South Wales and Victoria may allow fully vaccinated citizens to go overseas and return to their home quarantine, Western Australia, for example, will be wary of doing so and will be at greater danger.
Residents in Sydney will be permitted to go to Europe to see friends and relatives, but not to Perth.